Uncoupling device for car couplers



Nov. 13 i923.

, G. G. GHLPIN UNCOUPLING DEVICE FOR CAR COUPLERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMay 19 1922 Evan tar Gar? fi. 2pm

4 Sheets-She et 2 UNCOUPLING DEVICE FOR CAR COUPLERS Nov. 13 1923,

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UNCOUPLING DEVICE FOR CAR COUPLERS 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 19'mfl H m M Hi hu 1 \5 \w 4 lwfil i4.

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G. G. GILPIN UNCOUPLING DEVICE FOR CAR COUPLERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4,

Filed May 19,

Patented Nov. 13, 1923.

GARTH G. GILPIN, OF BIVIDE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO III'NIOI. METAL FDUOTSCOMP, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

UNCOUPLING DEVICE FOR CAR COUPLERS.

Application filed Key 1.9, 1922. Serial No. 562,099.

To all whom it 7110/3] concern:

Be it known that I, YGARTH G. GILPIN, a citizen of the United States,re'sidin at Riverside, in the county of Cook and tate of Illinois, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Uncoupling Devices for CarCouplers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in uncoupling devices for carcouplers and more particularly to devices of this character employed onfreight cars.

It is the object of this invention to provide a simple and eflicientrelease rigging comprising but few parts and which can be readilyattached to. the different types of freight cars and is so simple inconstruction that it cannot be incorrectly applied even by an unskilledlaborer.

The construction relates to what is known as the push down type ofuncoupling device, which comprises a pin lifting lever connected to thecoupler loclr block and an operating lever so positioned on the car thata downward movement thereof raises the pin lifting lever and unlocks thecoupler. In levers of this general type, mounted on a common fulcrum,the connection between the levers must allow for the longitudinalmovement of the coupler in draft and in bufiing. The pin lifting levermust have a limited upward movement so that if anything breaks withinthe coupler head the pin lifting lever cannot fly around and injure thetralnman and it must be limited in its downward movement so that if thecarry iron breaks it will prevent the coupler from falling on the trackand wrecking the train. The outer end of the operating lever must belimited in its vertical movement so that if anything breaks within thecoupler or the connection of the pin lifting lever to the coupler thetrainman will not fall between the cars.

Another object of this invention is to ob= tain a device of this classin which the longitudinal movement of the pin lifting lever caused bythe outward movement of the coupler is not transmitted to the operatinglever so that the trainman standing on the operating lever is not shakenoff.

Another object of this invention is to obtain a device of this classwhich has suficient bearing area on the fulcrum to practicallyeliminatewear and friction of the parts, and furthermore, is so designed as toeliminate wear and friction between the pin lifting lever and operatinglever.

While the preferred form of this invention is illustrated upon theaccompanying sheets of drawings, yet it is to be understood that minordetail changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows an elevation of applied to a freight car.

Fig.2 shows a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged lan view of the fulcrum and portions of t e twolevers in the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 shows'an elevation of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows the fulcrum casting.

Fig. 6 shows the fulcrum end of the operating lever.

Fig. 7 shows the washer.

Fig. 8 shows the fulcrum end of the pin lifting lever.

Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive show a modified form wherein Fig. 9 shows anenlarged plan view.

Fig. 10 shows an enlarged elevation.

Fig. 11 shows the fulcrum casting- Fig. 12 shows the fulcrum end of theoperating lever.

the device Fig. 13 shows the fulcrum end of the pin lifting lever.

Figs. 14- to 19 inclusive show a modified form wherein- Fig. 14 shows anenlarged plan.

Fig. 15 shows an enlarged elevation.

Fig. 16 shows the fulcrum casting.

Fig. 17 shows the fulcrum end of the operating lever.

F ig. 18 shows the fulcrum end of the pin lifting lever.

Fig. 19 shows an elevation of the fulcrum.

In the drawings 1 is the end of the car, 2 is the coupler, 3 is thestriking casting, 4 is the operating lever, 5isJt-he pin lifting lever,6 is the fulcrum casting mounted on the car in any convenient manner orplace, and 7 is the coupler lock block eye. The end of the pin liftinglever is reduced in size, as shown at 8, so that it can pass through thecoupler lock block eye- The operating lever is bent downwardly, shown at9, and rehent to a. horizontal position, as shown at 10, merely tocomply with condition of the particular car shown.

The operating lever 4 has an enlarged rectangular extension, as shown at11, which is pierced by a round perforation 20 which fits over thejournal 12 of fulcrum 6. The exterior of this extending portion isrectangular and is just a trifle smaller than the rectangular aperture13 in the pin lifting lever 5 so, that a. downward force on theoperating lever transmitsan upward move,- ment to the pin lifting lever.The washer 14 has a round hole 21 fitting over journal 12 and is appliedafter the pin lifting lever is in position on the extension of theoperating lever and performs two functions: first, it retains the inlifting lever on the operating lever, and secondly, it acts as a fulcrumfor the movement of the pin lifting lever caused by the in and outmotion of the coupler. As shown in Fig. 7 this washer 14 has inwardlyprojecting lugs 15 and 16 and the fulcrum end of the pin lifting leveris deflected, the point of deflection being on the same plane as thepoints lugs 15 and 16 so that the deflected ortion of the pin liftinglever is caused to ulcrum between the points of the lugs and portions ofthe operating arm 4, indicated as 19.

The fulcrum end of the pin lifting lever is positioned between the twolugs 15 and 16 and the portion of the operating lever so that it is.held in a substantially vertical plane, or in other words, is preventedfrom tipping, which would cause friction between the enlarged head ofthe operating lever and the pin lifting lever, and result ina wabblingand unsatisfactory movement.

The fulcrum end of the operating lever is also provided with a.projection or projections 18 which extend toward the car and whichengage lugs or projections 17 on the fulcrum 6 so as to limit theupwardor downward movement of the operating lever. The amount of thismovement is predetermined. These stops 17 are shown in Figs. 3 and 5 andthe stops 18 on the operating lever are shown in Figs.'3 and 6.

The fulcrum 6 is secured to the car by fasteners 22 and the operatinqlever, pin lifting lever and washer are held in proper operativeposition by bolt 23 and washer 24 provided with cotter pin 25' forsecurity.

The fulcrum end of pin lifting lever 37 has a retangular perforation 45which fits over the rectangular extension on operating lever 30, thustransmitting a vertical movement from the operating lever to the pinlifting lever. The lateral extension 31 has indentations 32 -whichengage lugs 33 to limit the vertical movement of operating lever 30- toa predetennined amount.

1,474, ice

Th c um en f in i ing lever 5$ i t y enlar ed so lia a ill be w eatpoint 38 which is near a vertical plane passing through the fulcrum 40.The fulcrum 36 has its end portion beveled in vertical plane, as shownat 39, so that point- 41 is opposite point 38 on ev r 37 when devi is abl d- By hi mmerce and arrangement thecoupler end'of the pin liftinglever can move and out coupler in draft without transmit-ting such m veen to th op t ng lever 3,0- 11: h tm the. p m ty of Pa nt 8' n to points41 and 43 respectively retain the pin lifting lever in a vertical planeor prevent it from tipping.

The fulcrum 36'is attached to the car in any convenient manner such asflanges and rivets 47. The various parts are held in proper-operativeposition by bolts 46, washer 48 and nut 49. Cotter pin is provided forsecurity.

Figs. 14 to 19 inclusive show a modification wherein the operating lever50 a lateral rectangular extension 51 which has round perforation 52toac'commodate journal of fulcrum 54. The fulcrum end of pin liftinglever 55 has a rectangular foration 56 .which fits over the rectangularextension on operating lever 56, thus tra mitting vertical movement fromtheoperating lever to the pin lifting lever.

The fulcrum casting 54 is provided with vertical wall 57 which has upperand lower horizontal walls 58 which are tapered on their sides adjacentthe operating lever, so as to form points 62 between which therectangular extension of the operating leveris positioned. The outerends of these horizontal walls form stops at points 63, 64,65 and 66tolimit the vertical movement of the operating-lever.

The horizontal walls are also tapered in a vertical plane to formprojections at 58. The fulcrum end of pin lifting lever is deflected andrebent, as shown in Fig. 14, so that the coupler end of the pin liftinglever can move in and out with the coupler in draft Without transmittingsuch movement to the operating lever. Furthermore, the proximity ofpoints 5 9; and 60 to points 58 and 61 respectively retain the pinlifting lever in a vertical plane or prevent it from tipping. Thefulcrum endof the operating lever is slightly larger than the lateralextension thereon, as shown at 61. to provide abutmeiits for lever 55.

Thefulcrum 54 isattached to the car in any convenient manner such asflanges 67 and rivet 68. The various parts are held in proper operativeposition by bolt 69. nut 70 and washer 71.

While I have shown and described the rectangular lateral extension as.being a part of the operating lever it is understood that same may beformed on the pin lifting lever and still come within the scope of theinvention.

What I claim is:

1. An uncou ling device for car couplers operating lever, and a pin,lifting lever; one

of said levers formed with a rectangular extension perforated for saidjournal, and the other of said levers having a rectangular perforationto engage the said rectangular extension.

3. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising a fulcrum havin ajournal, an operating lever, and a pin lifting lever; one of said leversformed with a rectangular ex- .tension perforated for said journal, .andthe other of said levers having a rectangular perforation to engage thesaid rectangular extension, and means Within the perimeter of saidextension to engage projections on said fulcrum whereby the verticalmovement of said levers is restricted.

4. An uncoupling device for car couplers comprising a fulcrum having ajournal, an

operating lever formed with a lateral exten- I sion perforated for saidjournal, and a pin lifting lever perforated so as to non-rotativelyengage said lateral extension.

5. An uncoupling device for 'ear cou lers comprising a fulcrum havin ajourna, an operatin lever, and a pin li ing lever, one of said eversformed with a lateral extension perforated for said journal, and theother of said levers perforated so as to non rotatively engage saidlateral extension.

6. An uncoufpling device for car couplers comprising aulcrum having ajournal, an operating lever formed with a lateral extension perforatedfor said journal, and a pin lifting lever perforated so as tonon-rotatively engage said lateral extension, said operating leverformed with another lateral extension which projects in the oppositedirection from the first mentioned extension which eng 9. stop on saidfulcrum whereby the'vertic'al movement of said lever is restricted.

7. An uncoupling device for car-couplers comprising a fulcrum having ajournal and a pair of horizontally disposed wallspositioned respectivelyabove and below said journal, an operating lever formed with a lateralextension perforated for said journal and mounted on said journalbetween said walls whereby the vertical movement of said lever isrestricted, and a pin lifting lever operatively mounted on saidextension.

' GARTH G. GILPIN.

